ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death”
(Psalm 48:14).
(Psalm 48:14).
Often we become discouraged because we cannot see God’s long-range plan of guidance for our lives. We need to remember that God has promised to guide our steps, not the miles ahead.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in His way”
(Psalm 37:23). This beloved hymn came from the grateful heart of FANNY J. CROSBY after she had received a direct answer to her prayer.
(Psalm 37:23). This beloved hymn came from the grateful heart of FANNY J. CROSBY after she had received a direct answer to her prayer.
One day when she desperately needed five dollars and had no idea where she could obtain it, Fanny followed her usual custom and began to pray about the matter. A few minutes later a stranger appeared at her door with the exact amount. "I have no way of accounting for this,” she said, "except to believe that God put it in the heart of this good man to bring the money. My first thought was that it is so wonderful the way the Lord leads me, I immediately wrote the poem". The hymn was first published in 1875.
No one knows the importance of guided steps as much as a blind person like Fanny Crosby, who lost her sight at six weeks of age through improper medical treatment. A sightless person is keenly aware that there will be stumbling and uncertainty as she continues on her way. As Fanny wrote, “cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial,” she has reminded us that God has never promised to keep us from hard places or obstacles in life. He has assured us, however, that He will go with us, guide each step, and give the necessary grace.
All the way my Saviour leads me-what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thru life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! for I know what’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well . . .
All the way my Savour leads me-cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for ev’ry trial, feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter and my soul athirst may be, gushing from the Rock
before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see . . .
All the way my Saviour leads me-oh the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, this my song thru endless ages: Jesus led me all the way . . .
(Kenneth W. Osbeck)
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October 21
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white . . .” (John 20:11-12)
Care may press very heavily upon some because of a sense of failure in a trying and responsible post. Or there may be some secret in your life you cannot communicate to anyone—the skeleton in the cupboard. Or some great disappointment has befallen you, and you are inclined to let these blighted hopes darken the remainder of your own life and that of others.
It may be that you are suffering from the sin and disgrace of those near and dear to you, and truly this brings enough care to weigh down the stoutest heart. Care will often arise, too, from the thought of what might have been. This reflection will sometimes cause the bitterest pang.
Let it be said at once that all regrets of this kind are useless. In many such cases it is impossible to tell what might have been the issue, even if a different course had been adopted; and even if you could tell, yet, being done, you cannot alter it.
Our advice is, get forgiveness from God or man, or both, if necessary, and make the best use of present opportunities.
Act, act in the living present, Heart within, and God o’erhead.
Forgetting the things that are behind, reach forth unto those thing that
are before, and press toward the mark.
(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)
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October 22
Well-Wishing Achieves Little
“Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early . . . and there
returned of the people twenty and two thousand . . . “
(Judges 7:3)
Gideon declared war against the oppressor and summoned the nation to his side. Thirty-two thousand who wished him well responded. The cause of Jesus Christ has never lacked its well-wishers, but mere well-wishing seldom achieves anything.
A twofold test sifted the well-wishers then and does so now. The first test was that of fearfulness. “Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return.”
There is much that has never been attempted because of fear-fear of failing, fear of what people might say. fear that it would be too difficult, fear of not being able to see it through.
The second test was that of casualness. This test took place by the stream. Only a handful were so pressed by the urgency of the hour that they scarcely paused.
The rest got down lazily and thankfully to the business of drinking.
The same spirit is abroad today—what’s the hurry, why be so keen? How many fail this test and scarcely know that they have been found wanting.
(Every Day With Jesus - G. Duncan)
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October 23
“Joseph dreamed a dream . . . we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And he dreamed yet another dream . . . behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.” (Genesis 37:5-9)
The one who is loved by the Father, and marked out as the special object of His delight, is the One who is destined to universal supremacy. This great truth is brought before us in Joseph’s dreams, both setting before us the supremacy of Joseph. One dream might have sufficed to foretell the glories of Joseph, but would be wholly inadequate to shadow forth the glories of Christ.
His supremacy will have a twofold character. He will yet be supreme on earth, and many passages tell of this earthly glory.
The dream of the sheaves making obeisance to Joseph’s sheaf may well speak of this excellent supremacy over all the earth which Christ is destined to wield. Yet this first dream fails to set forth the supremacy of Christ in all its vast extent, for He is destined not only to be supreme on earth, but to hold universal sway over heaven and earth.
The Father, according to His good pleasure, has purposed in the fulness of times to head up “all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth” (Ephesians 1:9-10). This second dream speaks of this heavenly supremacy by presenting heavenly bodies—the sun, the moon, and the stars, making obeisance to Joseph.
The two dreams thus set forth the supremacy of Christ over things on earth and things in heaven to the remotest bounds of the created universe.
(Hamilton Smith)
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October 24
“There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken
unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”
(Joshua 21:45)
What a glowing testimony to the faithfulness of God! Joshua’s years of leadership were coming to a close. Throughout that period he had seen many “ups and downs.”
Human failure had certainly occurred, but on the divine side, “there failed not aught!”
Here is an encouragement for us today. Not one
good thing of which He has spoken will fail.
As He was then, so He is now!
(G. Hall)
How good is the God we adore! Our faithful, unchangeable friend!
His love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure not end!
’Tis Jesus the First and the Last, Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home,
We’ll praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that’s to come.
(Joseph Hart)
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October 25
". . . yield ye your members as instruments . . . unto God.”
(Romans 6:13)
God can do nothing with us if we do not yield.
We recall a day of sightseeing in the palace of Genoa.
We entered a room seemingly empty; bare walls, floors and tables greeted us.
Presently the guide led us across the room to the wall at the farther side. There we spied a niche in the wall.
It was covered with a glass case. Behind the case was a magnificent violin, in perfect preservation—Paganini’s favourite violin; the rich old Cremona upon which he loved most of all to display his marvellous skill. We gazed intently upon the superb instrument, with its warm rich tints, sinuous curves, and perfect model.
And then we tried to imagine the wondrous strains the touch of the great master would bring forth if he were there in that quiet palace chamber . . . Nay, but this could not be! He could not possibly do so!
For it was locked up against him! It gave the master no chance.
It is not how much do you have, but how much of yours does God have.
Present your members as instruments to God.
To present means “to place near the hand of one.”
To present means “to place near the hand of one.”
Yielded, reachable, usable—this gives God a chance.
Make it a real transaction!
God-yielded wills find the God-planned life.
(James H. McConkey)
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October 26
“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 5:21)
The death of the Redeemer met the claims of the throne of God in righteousness, and the needs
of the hearts of men in grace; and grace now reigns (Romans 5:21).
This era was formally introduced by the ascent of Christ (Acts 1) and the descent of the Spirit (Acts 2).
The message now is to every creature which is under heaven.
God is today calling out from all kindreds and nations and races and
tongues a people for His name (Acts 15:14-17); that company which, in the Epistles, is called “The Church”.
At the second coming of our Lord, this innumerable company of redeemed ones will be
translated to their heavenly home, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15.
The difference between “law” and “grace” is well illustrated in John Bunyan’s quaint words:
“Run, John run, the law commands,
But gives me neither legs nor hands;
Far grander news the Gospel brings,
It bids me fly, and gives me wings.”
(George Henderson)
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October 27
I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God!
"Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed
the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.”
(Psalm 90:1-2)
The Christian knows no change with regard to God.
He himself may be rich today—and poor tomorrow, he may be sickly today—and well tomorrow,
he may be in happiness today—tomorrow he may be distressed; but there is never
any change with regard to his relationship to God.
If He loved me yesterday--then He loves me today. My unmoving mansion of rest,
is my blessed Lord.
Let prospects be ruined, let hopes be blasted, let joy be withered, let mildews destroy everything—
I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is "my strong habitation where unto I can
continually resort." I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God.
In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail, and the field shall yield no meat; the flock shall be
cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
"The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind’s feet, and
He will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”
(Habakkuk 3:17-19
(Charles Spurgeon)
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October 28
“For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
(Ephesians 2:8)
~~~
Man’s need has ever been the occasion for the display of God’s grace and mercy.
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off
are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
(Ephesians 2:13)
~~~
When Israel murmured, the serpent’s bite was the answer.
When Israel confessed, God’s grace was the answer.
“The people spake against God . . . The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
"The Lord said unto Moses, make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole . . . every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”
(Numbers 21:5-8)
~~~
Nothing can ever bring a sinner back to a state of true happiness and holiness, but his being
fully established in the faith and enjoyment of the love of God.
We must have to do with Christ for ourselves, and we must walk with God for ourselves.
We can neither get life not live by the faith of another.
“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2)
~~~
(Food for the Desert)
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October 29
VERY EARLY
“When it was yet dark” (John 20:1).
“As it began to dawn” (Matthew 28:1).
“At the rising of the sun” (Mark 16:2).
It was yet dark; but love can find her way
(Sure-footed Love!) by night as well as day.
The first soft trace of dawn. Hope’s eager eye
Marks every hue that tints the eastern sky.
Sunrise at last! Faith’s sure reward is here;
Death turned to life; black night to morning clear.
(Bells & Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait)
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October 30
Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild
“And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:15-17)
The story is told of a little girl named Becca, who lived in an institution for troubled children.
She had never spoken, and her behaviour was quite violent. She terrorized the other
children, hitting them and stomping on their toys.
This was in the 1800s, when treatment for emotional problems was still quite primitive. But there
was a nurse who showed love to this little girl. And slowly Becca calmed down. She began
to show affection for the nurse, and she would even sit quietly with the other
children as they learned to sing. Still, she wouldn’t speak.
One summer evening, the nurse put Becca to bed early. The sun had just gone down, and some birds were singing outside. Then the nurse heard another voice along with the birds. It was Becca. Alone in her room she was singing a song she had heard the other children sing:
“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon a little child; pity my simplicity;
suffer me to come to Thee.”
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity, suffer me to come to Thee.
Lamb of God, I look to Thee; Thou shalt my example be:
Thou art gentle, meek and mild; Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as Thou art; give me Thine obedient heart:
Thou art pitiful and kind; let me have Thy loving mind.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb, in Thy gracious hands I am;
Make me, Saviour, what Thou art, live Thyself within my heart.
(Charles Wesley 1707–1788)
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October 31
“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord,
for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”
(James 5:10)
“As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”
(2 Corinthians 1:7)
So many burdened lives along the way! my load seems lighter than the most I see,
And oft I wonder if I could be brave, patient and sweet if they were laid on me.
But God has never said that He would give another’s grace without another’s thorn;
What matter, since for every day of mine sufficient grace for me comes with the morn?
And though the future brings some heavier cross, I need not cloud the present with my fears;
I know the grace that is enough today will be sufficient still through all the years.”
(Annie Johnson Flint)
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November 1
“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour:
yet what I shall choose I wot not.”
(Philippians 1:22)
The Scriptures speak of fruit in various senses. For instance, Paul wished to go to Rome that he
“might have some fruit among you”.
In Matthew 3:8 we read of fruits meet for repentance.
This no doubt referred to the general walk and behaviour.
John 15 speaks much of fruit: and we do well to give good heed to it: yet at the same time remember
the subject is fruit-bearing, and not eternal life.
Then we have the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, Joy, Peace,“ etc., Nine lovely graces,
yet only spoken of as “fruit”, not fruits: for they all have one Source.
In John 4:36 we read, “He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal”.
This fruit would appear to be souls for their hire.
(G. Christopher Willis)
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